Ong Bak 2

What I like about the movie:

1.Cinematic
I can totally feel how every movement in the is perfected. Unlike Red cliff. I saw a scene:













Could you see what is the problem with the shooting?
if you can't, its ok, it only shows my talent in abstract art.

Look, Cao Cao is not in the middle of the screen and lackey 4 has only half a face. And this scene happens when cao cao is trying to make an important announcement of him trying to take over the world (again) for at least a good 5 minute.

However, in Ong Bak, I see effort in perfecting the scenes. Every move was well coordinated and perfect. Not only in fighting scene but also the Thai dance display.

2. Rich display of Thai culture

What I dislike about the movie

1. THE PLOT

I wonder how could it even screw up.
First, the plot is a very simple- poor kid get bullied, parents got killed, revenge parent.
I wasnt too mindful of the plot in the beginning. I do not have too high expectations on Kungfu movies. It is as if if the whole cast were to change their clothes, jumble up the scenes and dadum, you get a sequel.

However, when the movie reaches the end, the plot is so disturbing.
First,
Tony Jaa tamed a group of elephants in the beginning when he was still in training to revenge his parents. Towards the end of the movie, when Tony is about to get defeated by the bad guys (who were ninjas who flew all the way from japan to ancient Thailand) these tamed elephants came to Tony's rescue (or so I thought). those elephants did nothing but stood there and shriek a bit.
I guess Mr. Tony Jaa has no idea how these untrained elephants can help him win the fight anyway. Therefore, shortafter, the elephants were chased away by one of Tony's enemy, a crazy woman who came out of nowhere and is better at taming elephants because she acts like/ thinks she is a tiger (what was that???).

The worst thing is, after the retreat of the elephants, Tony began to lose the fight and eventually got killed by the bad guy.

When I tried to move out of the threatre as soon as the credits roll to get myself out of the trauma that a evil can win the good in a kungfu movie, I could still hear echos of people in the threatre going HUH? , What was that?, He died in the end arh?

I felt strange that an ending with Tony successful in taking revenge after winning a 1vs 500 fight would make more sense to me. Isnt that just the Kungfu movie stereotype?

Ponyo Ponyo

As we approach the counter to buy the movie tickets, I could hear "ponyo, ponyo ponyo" at the background. Was it from the trailer screen? nope, its the ticketing staff mumbling to herself.

That was probably the only reason I want to watch the movie. the brainwashing, mesmerising Ponyo song.

The first question I asked my boyfriend when the film started: " Do you think I will understand this film?" My instinct serves me right. The entire movie feels like a extended trip to the underwater world. Most of the time, you find yourself admiring the beautiful artworks of Hayao Miyazaki, not because you want to but you have to find ways to make that ticket price worth while somehow.

I also get irritated by little girls (or old girls, I dunno, it dark in there) giggling here and there when ponyo does the "cute thing" like falling asleep, sqirting water, etc. Although those girls become increasingly irritating as the movie goes on, I can totally empathise with them, because I am also trying hard to disillusion myself that I wasn't cheated by that cutesy song and that my 7 dollars had brought me some giggly time.

Personally, I dislike movies that waste 1 hour plus of my time on a really simple story. If you ask me popcorn or movie, I say movie. Because I wanna save all my popcorn till the end of the show and throw it on the screen before I stomp away from that underwater world unsatisfied.

Red Cliff 2

Parts I like about the movie

1. Takeshi Keneshiro when collecting the Arrows

The scene between him and one of the minister on the boat waiting for Cao Cao troops to donate them the arrows is pretty humorous. And of course, Takeshi is sooooo cute. He is the only one distracting me from my popcorn.

2. Love story between Zhao Wei and random soldier

The only thing that ever stirred up any emotions in me in the whole movie is the side story between Zhao Wei and the soldier. It even brought a tear to my eye!

Parts I dislike about the movie

1. Too much Poem reciting

At least 10% of the total movie, you see a character reciting some poem. I wonder who can understand what the poems were about. And even if anyone could understand the poems, what kind of effect does it bring to the entire movie? It has the same effect as my mum nagging at me. I almost jumped when the opening of the trailer, is another recitation. *slaps forehead*

2. Cao Cao is a complete Idiot

I expected some intellectual competition between the 2 armies. However, for the whole movie, Cao Cao did not use any brains at all. He killed the 2 generals who are the only ones familiar with the whole ship war thing and actually believing that Ling Chi Lin has came over just to brew him some tea.

The only time where he displayed some kind of leadership character was when he motivated all the sick soldiers to go and fight for him. Which I thought was upmost irritating. How could him not let his employees take MC. No wonder Hua Tuo left without a resignation letter.

I have to say even mojo jojo from power puff girls have more strategy than him.

3. Why Zhou yu gets all the Tang Yuen?

I am so puzzled by the part where Zhou Yu get a Tang Yuan from everyone. Its not as if he is the only sacrificing for the war. And hate it even more when he give the look as if he deserves it. So what is his wife went over to the other side to delay Cao Cao. What about the sucide soldiers that are prepared to die in this war?They would be separated from their families forever. Why should Zhou Yu get all the credit when everyone is working hard for this war?

Conclusion:

I have my concentration 60% on popcorn and 40% on the screen

I give it 3 out of 5 stars. Although the plot was not out of the ordinary, the cinematic and stuff were decent. I have no regrets if I were to give it a miss though. But I cant! Cos I already watched the first one, have to watch the second one right?